US President Donald Trump on Sunday instructed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with long-term Asian ally South Korea, citing the cost of the drills and Seoul’s refusal to take part in actions against Iran.
Hours before exercises were scheduled to begin, Trump said on his Truth Social site he was “not happy” that the US had agreed to participate and highlighted his “very good relationship” with Kim Jong Un, the leader of nuclear-armed and heavily sanctioned North Korea.
“These exercises are not only costly… but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful,” Trump wrote.
He noted that South Korea had recently declined to join the US in the “denuclearization” of Iran.
Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea. These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by… pic.twitter.com/IcVjiJyDX9
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) August 16, 2026
Seoul said it was reviewing Trump’s comments, adding it hoped “a favorable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.”
Earlier, South Korea said the drills with the US would proceed “as scheduled”.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises are scheduled to run until August 27, with about 18,000 South Korean military personnel participating.
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar)